Q&A

What I'm Currently Addicted To...

I'm addicted to the great varieties of art that abound on the web; painting; chess on an iPod Touch; movies online; trueslant.com; reading online; finding out as much as I can about what is going on in our country.

This Is Annoying Me...

I hate to admit it but my lack of knowledge has become apparent now that I am reading the contributors of trueslant.com and listening to other sources more valid and reliable than my former sources, network news.

This Is Making Me Worry...

I worry about this country that I have loved all my life and have been so very proud of too. My worry began a sharp increase from 9/11/2001 on and hit a peak with the reports that we were committing acts of torture and had abandoned the Hague Convention. Regularly, I am appalled by all that has occurred during the W. Bush administration. But now I am equally worried about the direction President O'Bama is taking. I felt extremely proud of our country when we voted him into office but now he seems like so much of the same old approach.

This Is Bringing Me Joy...

Painting has always brought my most complete experience as a human being. One thing that I enjoy about painting is that there is really no right or wrong way to paint. Some will appreciate what I paint and some will not and that's okay too. But I am greatly rewarded and affirmed when others express appreciation for something I have articulated in terms of shapes, colors, natural forms, etc. Painting is my true path. But I must remain conscious of our times and what has happened, one does not paint in a vacuum.

I'm Running From...

I don't know what I am running from but I may be running from something subconsciously. For example, I am not in any particular rush to age. On the other hand, I have not taken any extreme steps to prevent the natural aging of my physical being. I am enjoying living in the present, being present, mainly not running from anything, I hope.

This Is Helping Me Create...

A stronger understanding of our financial sector. I have only had a vague concept of how securities traders worked. The articles that I am keeping up with have helped me to create a more focused concept of what it is all about.

This Is Making Me Think - Hard...

All of the contributors, so far, have made me think hard. Each seems to have a very good skill at hitting home on points that we all can relate to. The financial games are the ones that make me think the hardest. I am not a numbers person and also not so hot at math. I am more than challenged by the contributors and topics that I am following.

This Makes My Teeth Itch

I'm unsure of this question but I hate to dial a phone number and get the piercing sound of a fax machine starting up.

Can't Do Without

painting, sleep, company of a loved one, great friends, animals, beautiful water, music - I'm pretty needy.

Favorite Voices

Authors: Marquez; Ondaatje; the writer of Cold Mountain (can't think of his name at the moment); Jon Krakauer.

Speakers: Senator Robert F. Kennedy; Reverend Bernice King

Singers/musicians: Ali Farka Toure; Chris Botti; Van Morrison; John Mayer; Diana Krall; Lucinda Williams; Beth Orton, Mat Kearney; Ryan Adams; Mazzy Star; Melody Gardot, and on and on. . .

My Secret Ambition

I have a widely known ambition to "succeed" as a painter. This is not a secret ambition. But I would also like to write a book or more than one. I don't talk about this because I don't really believe that I can do it. So, it's just a secret ambition that I may or may not turn out to accomplish. The Internet gives me more hope but still I must hone my ability. Maybe this should have remained a secret!

I'm Known For...

I am a painter and also I am a semi-retired lawyer who prepares legal research and writing for other lawyers on a variety of topics.

My Current Project

My current project is working on as many great paintings as I can. Even if one or two turn out to be great that will be a success.

My Greatest Achievement

My sense of this is that I have two areas in which I have made my greatest achievements. One is that I obtained a law degree and became licensed to practice law after I had already been an art teacher for about fifteen years. My other equally great achievement is that, following fifteen years of practicing law, I left the full-time practice as a partner, for the purpose of opening a studio that I helped to make a success for five years. I now freelance both as a painter and legal writer. By perseverance, I now am able to paint full-time.

Where I'd Like To Be 10 Years From Now

Alive and in good health! And still painting! I like where I am now, so, I would be delighted if this continues.

Why True/Slant

Matt Taibbi's Rolling Stone article on Goldman Sachs drew me to True/Slant. I am very glad to have this place to come and learn, as well as to share, sometimes, my thoughts on the same or related subjects.